Blank infolding and indenting machine



April 1935- w. L. DIXON ET AL 1,997,576

BLANK INFOLDING AND INDENTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 31, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l I I I V a m n 73555;

A TTORNE VS. 1

April 16, 1935. W. L. DIXON ET AL BLANK INFOLDING AND INDENTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 31, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [NKENTORSI GU -6am M WWW KMALAU k ATTOR/VE S.

Patented Apr. 16, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BLANK INFOLDING AND INDENTING MACHINE poration of Maine Application August 31,

11 Claims.

This invention is a novel blank infolding and indenting machine, intended particularly for the infolding of the edges of a cloth blank, such as a part of a collar, and at the same time impress- 5 ing or indenting adjacent to the edges thereof certain marks or indentations at selected points. Such indentations may be for various uses, for example to assist in the subsequent registering or positioning of the folded blank in connecting or stitching it to some other part or garment. A typical instance is the infolding of the margins of blanks to form collar bands intended to be attached or stitched to shirts, the indentations serving as index or registering marks to insure the proper relation between the connected collar or neck band and shirt, the index mark being only of temporary character as its purpose is served after the stitching is performed.

Examples of cloth blank infolding machines include the prior patent of Dixon issued October 18, 1932 No. 1,883,343, and other examples include the Dormandy Patents No. 1,126,421 of Jan. 26, 1915 and No. 1,216,293, February 20, 1917. In these and various other well-known machines, the blank to be folded is laid upon a supporting bed, a templet is caused to descend upon the blank for defining its outline, and an infolder or set of infolders is movable inwardly to infold the blank margins over the edges of the templet; and such machines are usually power operated and have connections for causing the infolders to be depressed forcibly so as to squeeze and crease the infolded blank edges between the infolders and the bed, and in the patents mentioned such squeezing or pressing is performed while the infolds are occupied by the thin edges of the templet.

It is of considerable manufacturing value and advantage that definite marks be produced at proper points around the periphery of each infolded blank so as to insure its correct registering with the garment or part to which it is to be stitched. For example, if the blank is to form part of a neck band or collar band to be attached to a shirt, the index marks may be so placed that when alined with the seams of the shirt the band.

will be in proper position. The general object of the present invention is to afford a blank infolding and indenting machine having efficiency and accuracy in placing indentations at the margins of infolded blanks for the described or other purposes. A further object is to afford a machine as described which will be simple in construction and convenient in operation. A further object is to provide in a convenient manner for adjustability for changes in sizes of the folded product.

1932, Serial No. 631,164

Other and further objects and advantages will be explained in the hereinafter following description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention or will be understood to those skilled in the subject. To the attainment of such objectsand advantages the present invention consists in the novel machine, and the novel features of combination, arrangement and construction herein illustrated or described.

Fig. 1 is a vertical transverse section view of an infolding machine embodying the present invention, the same following generally said prior Dixon patent, with the templet shown in its lowered position, the infolders moved inwardly, and the squeezing pressure being applied, similar to Fig. 10 in said patent, and with the templet shown also in dotted lines in elevated position and contracted, similar to Fig. 2 of said patent.

Fig. 2 is a face view of an infolded and indented collar band blank as made with this invention, the folded blank being doubled conveniently to show both sides thereof.

Fig. 3 is a partial view similar to Fig. 2 showing the end of a blank with its indentations located differently from those in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a partial top plan View of the apparatus, in which the cloth blank is omitted, but the templet is shown resting upon the bed and a single side infolder shown, the same in retracted position, and the templet broken away to show the bed.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but with the infolder having lifted and moved inwardly to infold the edge of the blank over the edge of the templet.

Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 'l'! of Fig. 5; this being on double scale as compared with Figs. 5 and 6, and showing the cloth blank overlying the bed and infolder.

Fig 8 is a section similar to Fig. '7, but taken on the line 88 of Fig. 6, the infolder having lifted and moved in.

Fig. 9 is a View similar to Fig. 8, but on a double scale as compared therewith, and showing the position of the parts when the infolder has lowered and the squeezing pressure is operative.

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section taken on the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 9.

Similar reference numbers designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

The present improvement may be generally described as comprising the combination of certain cooperating elements, namely, the blank supporting bed 22 formed with a groove or depression I2 at each place to be indented, a blank defining templet 21 mounted to descend upon the bed and having a slot or opening I3 at the place to be indented, an infolder or infolders I2 movable inwardly to infold the blank margins over the edges of the templet and having a depending rib or boss I4 at the place to be indented, when the infolder is in inward position, together with means for pressing or squeezing the infolded blank and templet between the bed and infolders, thereby to cause the infolder rib to be thrust downwardly through the slot of the templet and to depress the blank margin into the groove of the bed so that the infolded and pressed blank becomes indented at the selected points.

While the improvement might be used in machines having templets of various types, in cluding those disclosed in the patents enumeratcd, it is herein illustratively shown applied to a machine similar to that of said Dixon patent, wherein the templet does not contract or withdraw from the infolds before the pressing or squeezing operation, and wherein the infolded blank is only removed from the templet after the latter has been elevated above the bed of the machine. The improvement may be used with various arrangements and operation of infolders, for example as in the Dixon patent wherein all the infolders are moved inward before and remain in during the pressing of the entire blank, or as also well known, wherein part of the blank is infolded and pressed and infolders then retracted before the remainder of the blank is infolded and pressed, the pressing being thus in two stages in each cycle, and effected either by depressing the infolders or elevating the bed.

The illustrated blank consists of a piece of cloth a, the margins of which are to be infolded at b. In the particular shape shown the ends come to a sharp corner 0 at which the infolds may overlap, although the ends might be rounded. At the lower or near margin of the blank are shown indentations d and at the upper margin indentations e for the purpose hereof. In the modification shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the blank a has indentations d and e which are set further inwardly than in Fig. 2 so as only partly to overlap the infolds b, afforded by a different arrangement of infolder rib. As stated, the indentations may be placed to correspond or register with parts or seams of a garment or shirt; and an indentation might be located at the middle of the length of the collar blank to register with the center of the shirt neck.

Referring next to the machine illustrated in Fig. l, which is taken largely from said Dixon patent, to which reference may be made for further details, an operating shaft I9 carries the cams to perform in proper timing the several operations. Above the shaft the frame carries a stationary bed 2I the upper part of which is formed as an elevated pad 22, upon which the infolding is done. The pad part of the bed is shown in three sections the end sections being adjustable endwise to vary the length for different sizes of blanks.

At the rear of the machine, seen at the right side of Fig. 1, are upstanding brackets 24 carrying a rockshaft 25 from which extend forwardly a pair of arms 26 supporting a templet or die 21. The arms and the templet may be lowered by gravity and lifted through a rear lever arm 29 on the shaft 25, the arm actuated by a link 30 extending downwardly to a lower arm 3I fulcrumed on a rear axle I42" and formed rigid with an upwardly extending arm 32 having a follower or cam roll resting upon a periphery of a cam 33 on the shaft I9. By this the templet is properly lowered and raised in each cycle by the rotation of the shaft and cam.

The templet 21 may have rounded ends as in said Dixon patent, but is herein illustrated with sharp or angular ends, the folds being produced by somewhat different timing of the infolders. To assist disengagement of the folded blank from the templet the latter is shown as adapted to be shortened and for this purpose it is formed with a middle blade 35 and two end blades 36, the latter not only movable endwise for expansion and contraction of the templet, but slidingly adjustable endwise to produce blanks of different lengths. As in said patent the middle blade 35 may be supported on a carrier 31 secured to a lug 38 standing downwardly from the templet body 39 mounted at the forward end of the arms 26. The templet and blades 36 may be mounted on carriers 43 supported on shiftable carriages 42 slidable endwise in the body 39. A fore-and-aft slidable bar 49 is mounted at the upper side of the templet and connected by cams, shown in said Dixon patent, to operate the carriages and templet blades. The bar 49 has a rearward extension 52 carrying a pin 54 through which the described movements may take place.

The lengthening and shortening of the templet may be arranged to be effected by its lowering and lifting and for this purpose a fixed cam plate 55 is shown, as in the Dixon patent, the same having a cam slot engaging the pin 54, said slot having an upper dwell 56, a slant 51 and a lower dwell 58, so that as the templet is lowered the pin 54 moves through the slant and causes the lengthening of the templet, and vice versa.

A generally square frame or carriage 62 is arranged to support the infolder system, and the frame bodily rises and lowers to give lifting and dropping movements to the infolders. Front and rear infolders I2 and I2 are shown in Fig. 1, corresponding with the Dixon patent, but the latter are omitted in Figs. 5 to 10. Associated with the infolder frame are front and rear pressure blocks I0 and I0 these being connected by rods I35 and I35 with inward extensions of heavy rocker members I and I40 mounted on axles I42 and I42, so that as the rockers are rocked, the rods will be lifted or lowered and the infolders and frame correspondingly operated. The front rocker member is shown as having an upwardly extending lever arm I carrying a cam roll at its top end engageable at certain times by a cam I on the shaft I9. Swinging of the rocker I40 is communicated to the rocker I40 through a pair of inside arms or extensions I52 and I52 respectively, these being operatively connectedby a stud I58 extending through square blocks engaging slots I60 in said extensions. By this arrangement all of the pressure rods I35 and I35 are pulled down or lifted simultaneously. The principal movements are effected through the cam I50 as described, but for the powerful squeezing depression of the infolders there is shown a roller I62 on the stud I58, and an additional cam I63 on the shaft I9 to thrust down the roller I62 at the proper time to cause the pressing action.

Coming to the novel features, the end sections 22 of the bed pad are shown secured by screws 23, adjustably engaging the underneath bed, and

formed with short narrow transverse grooves l2 at the front and 12 at the rear, corresponding with the desired indentations d and e, into which grooves the fabric may be depressed to form the indentations. When adjustments for length variations are made, the pad end sections are loosened, longitudinally shifted and secured again, and with this adjustment the grooves are repositioned correctly for the new length; so that only a single groove is necessary for each indentation for all sizes.

Cooperating with the bed or pad groove l2 the templet 21 is formed with a slot or opening l3 in position registering with the groove I2, and directly above it, and a similar slot l3 above groove 12 Each slot gives access from above for forcing the blank face fabric down into the bed groove. The templet need not contract while on the bed but consists of a center plate or blade 35 and end blades 36 in which the slots l3, [3 are formed. With changes of size the end blades are adjustable in the templet and this resets the slots to their correct new position, corresponding to the bed pad adjustment. The templet may be shortened by its lifting, as described, thus facilitating removing the folded, pressed and indented blanks.

It is believed to be new herein to thrust, by any means downwardly through a slot in the defining templet so as to press the fabric into a groove in the blank supporting bed beneath.

The actual indenting is shown as done by the underneath ribs of the infolders, such a rib ll being shown depending below the overhanging part of the infolder 12 in such position that when the infolder is moved inwardly the rib l4 comes directly above the templet slot l3 and bed groove 12. When the infolder is lowered, especially under squeezing pressure, the rib I4 is thrust down and forces the fabric down into the groove. Part of the infold b may be thrust through the slot into the groove, while the main fabric is merely thrust into the groove, producing the idex impression or indentation d as in Fig. 2 or d as in Figs. 3 and 4. Obviously the infolder may be length- Wisely adjustable for sizes, thus resetting the ribs to correspond with the newposition of the slots and grooves.

The objects of the invention are thus secured. The resulting indentations may be used for indexing the folded blank, into correct registry with corresponding points or marks on a shirt or other garment, formed in any desired manner.

There has thus been described a folding machine fulfilling the purposes of the present invention and embodying its principles; but since many matters of operation, combination and construction may be variously modified Within the scope of the invention, the claims are not intended to be limited to such matters except to the extent set forth in the respective claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine for infolding blanks for collars and the like and impressing indentations at a predetermined point or points thereof, the combination with a blank supporting bed having a depression or groove at each place to be impressed, a blank defining templet having an opening or slot at the place to be impressed, infolders movable inwardly to infold the blank margins over the edges of the templet and having a boss or rib projecting underneath the same at the place to be impressed when in inward position, and means for pressing the folded blank and templet between the bed and infolders, thereby to cause the infolder boss or rib toproject down through the opening or slot of the templet and so depress the blank into the depression or groove of the bed thereby indenting the infolded and pressed blank.

2. In a machine for infolding blanks for collars and the like and impressing registering indentations at a predetermined point or points thereof to assist subsequent attachment to another part or garment, the combination with a blank supporting bed having a depression or groove at each place to be impressed, a blank defining templet, infolders movable inwardly to infold the blank margins over the edges of the templet and having a boss or rib projecting underneath the same at the place to be impressedwhen in inward position, and means for pressing the folded blank and templet between the bed and infolders, thereby to cause the infolder boss or rib to depress the blank into the depression or groove of the bed thereby indenting the infolded and pressed blank.

3. In a machine for infolding blanks for collars and the like and impressing indentations at a predetermined point or points thereof to assist subsequent registry, the combination with a blank supporting bed having a depression or groove at each place to be impressed, a blank defining templet having an opening or slot at the place to be impressed, infolders movable inwardly to infold the blank margins over the edges of the templet, an indenting boss or rib, and means for causing the boss or rib to project down through the opening or slot of the templet and so depress the blank into the depression or groove of the bed thereby indenting the infolded and pressed blank.

4. In a machine for infolding collar bands or similar blanks and impressing indentations at a predetermined point or points thereof for registry with a garment or shirt, the combination with a blank supporting bed comprising raised pad portions each having a depression or groove at each place to be impressed, and adjustable lengthwise for size changes, a blank defining templet having an opening or slot at the place to be impressed, infolders movable inwardly to infold the blank margins over the edges of the templet and having a boss or rib at the place to be impressed when in inward position, and means for pressing the folded blank and templet between the bed and infolders, and for causing the boss or rib to project down through the opening or slot of the templet and so depress the blank into the depression or groove of the bed thereby indenting the infolded and pressed blank.

5. An infolding machine as in claim 4 and wherein the templet comprises defining portions adjustable lengthwise in conformity with the adjustment of the bed pad portions to maintain registration between templet slots and pad grooves.

6. An infolding machine as in claim 2 and wherein the bed comprises portions adjustable for size changes, such adjustable portions having the said depressions or grooves therein.

7. An infolding machine as in claim 3 and wherein the bed comprises raised pad portions relatively adjustable and having said depressions or grooves.

8. In a machine for infolding an edge of a blank and temporarily indenting a folded edge thereof with a transverse impression at a definite location to assist a subsequent registering operation, a blank supporting bed having a groove at the place to be indented, a blank defining templet not retractable from the infmds of the blank while on the bed, but having a slot or openlug at the place to be indented, infolding means movable inwardly to fold the blank edge or edges over the templet, and indenting means comprising a p flicction or rib arranged transversely to a. folded edge and adapted to be thrust through the templet slot and against the blank to force the material into the bed groove and produce a transverse impression therein.

9. In a machine for infolding blanks and imindax marks at predetermined points wthin the folded outline thereof, a bed, a templet and an infolder; the templet formed with a slot located inside of its defining outline at each place to be marked, and the infolder having a marker operative after the infolding and depending. below the infolder in position to enter such templet slot and thereat mark the folded blank within its infolded outline.

10. In a machine for ini'olding blanks and impressing index marks at predetermined points within the folded outline thereof, a bed, a templet and a member adapted to overlie the templet and folded blank; the templet formed with a slot located inside of its defining outline at each place to be marked; and a marker operative after the infolding and depending from said member in position to enter such templet slot and thereat mark the folded blank within its infolded outline.

11. In a. machine for infolding blanks and impressing index marks at predetermined points within the folded outline thereof, a bed, a templet and an infolder; the templet formed with a slot located inside of its defining outline at each place to be marked; and the bed and the infolder having, one of them a marking boss positioned to project through such templet slot and the other of them a. recess to receive such boss, both inside the defined outline of the folded blank.

WALTER L. DIXON. ALFRED G. GILBERT. 

